Bulldogs Drop Four-Set Decision to Missouri

Sunday, November 10

Athens, Ga.

2 p.m.

University of Georgia

17-7,9-4SEC

Missouri

16-6,8-4SEC

Missouri

Georgia

Photo by: Tony Walsh

November 10, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia volleyball team fell in four sets to the Missouri Tigers Sunday at Stegeman Coliseum (25-17, 25-27, 18-25, 19-25).

During the first set of Sunday's match, senior setter Meghan Donovan notched her 1,000^th-career dig. Not only did she become to 21^st member of the 1,000-Dig Club (second this season), but she also became the 14^thmember of Georgia's Double Grand Club as she has over 4,600 assists. She is only the third Georgia setter to join the Double Grand Club and the first since Jill Moore in 1991.

Kacie Evans recorded her third 20-kill match of her freshman season, finishing with 22 kills and hitting .395. The rookie also tallied a season-best five services aces.

Donovan earned her second double-double of the weekend, concluding with 43 assists and 12 digs.

Junior libero Kendall Glover finished with 15 digs while sophomore Sage Naves recorded six blocks, both leading the team. As a team, the Bulldogs had 10.5 blocks against Missouri.

The Bulldogs and Tigers began the opening set nearly going point-for-point. Holding on to a 15-14 lead, the Bulldogs went on a four-point run to open a 19-14 lead on Missouri. Georgia was able to fend off the Tigers' offense long enough to wrap up the opening set 25-21 and take a 1-0 lead in the match. Evans recorded six kills in the frame followed closely by five from junior Kianna Young and four from sophomore Kayla Rivera. As a team, Georgia hit .308 in the first set.

Georgia fell behind quickly in set two, 3-0, but surged for four-straight to capture a 4-3 lead early. Missouri responded with three-straight to retake the lead. Down 22-18, Georgia won four of the next five to pull within one, 23-22. Missouri proceeded to draw set point at 24-22 but three-straight points by Georgia gave the Bulldogs set point, 25-24. Missouri halted Georgia's offensive attack to win the next three and capture set two 27-25, tying up the match. Evans added six more kills in the second frame.

Missouri used a 3-0 run to pull ahead 7-4 in set three but Georgia responded with a 3-0 run of its own, featuring back-to-back aces by Evans to tie it at seven. Missouri immediately responded with a 4-1 run to open an 11-8 lead. Missouri never relinquished the lead as it won set three 25-18 and took a 2-1 lead in the match.

Despite taking a 3-0 lead on back-to-back aces from Evans to begin the fourth set, Missouri responded with three-straight to knot it early. Missouri found a lead and slowly built on the lead. The Bulldogs were able to cut the Tiger advantage to two, 19-17, but Missouri called timeout, halting the attack, and ultimately taking the fourth set, 25-19.

Up next, Georgia begins a two-match road swing in Mississippi beginning Friday at Ole Miss. First serve against the Rebels is slated for 7:30 p.m., ET.

Georgia Head Volleyball Coach Tom Black
On the match...
"I thought our serving was good consistently throughout the match. [Missouri] picked it up offensively and we couldn't capitalize on what they were doing."

On what we're working on...
"We're going to get back in the gym, get better, and get after it."